Bashan
Bashan is a region mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Bashan in modern-day Jordan. Known today as Saham al Jawlan. It appears across 53 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Bashan was one of the most fertile and celebrated regions in the ancient Near East, a broad tableland stretching northeast of the Sea of Galilee and east of the Jordan River, encompassing modern-day southwestern Syria and the Golan Heights. At the time of Israel's approach to Canaan, it was ruled by Og, king of Bashan, described as the last of the Rephaim, a giant whose iron bed was said to measure nine cubits in length (Deuteronomy 3:11). Israel's defeat of Og at Edrei became one of the paradigmatic victories of the wilderness period, cited repeatedly as proof of God's power (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11; Psalm 135:11). Moses assigned Bashan to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:13). The region was proverbially renowned for its fat cattle (Deuteronomy 32:14; Amos 4:1), its towering oaks (Isaiah 2:13; Ezekiel 27:6), and its rich pastures, images employed extensively in poetry and prophecy. Psalm 22:12 uses 'strong bulls of Bashan' as a metaphor for powerful enemies surrounding the suffering servant, while Psalm 68:15 poetically addresses 'the mountain of Bashan' in the context of divine sovereignty.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The region of Bashan corresponds geographically to the Hauran plateau in southern Syria and the Golan Heights, a volcanic basalt landscape of exceptional agricultural productivity. Archaeological surveys and excavations in this area have documented continuous habitation from the Chalcolithic period through the Byzantine era. Major sites include Salecah (modern Salkhad), Ashtaroth (Tell Ashtara), and Edrei (modern Daraa), all mentioned in biblical texts related to Og's kingdom. The basalt architecture of the region is distinctive, with numerous Iron Age villages, dolmens, and cult sites documented. The area's agricultural richness is confirmed by the large number of agricultural installations, wine presses, olive presses, and grain storage facilities, recovered through survey work. Roman-period cities built on earlier Iron Age settlements further attest to the region's long-term importance.
Verse Appearances (53)
Deut
Josh
2Kgs
Neh
Amos
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]